Clogwyn (Company name), CLOG (Company mark)
- Made in Wales, first started by Denny Moorehouse and Shirley Smith in 1966
The items are commonly referred to as: Nuts or Chocks
The items attach to a carabiner by wire "Wired," or by a sling or cord "Slung"
- Made in Wales, first started by Denny Moorehouse and Shirley Smith in 1966
The items are commonly referred to as: Nuts or Chocks
The items attach to a carabiner by wire "Wired," or by a sling or cord "Slung"
For the CLOG Wedges and Hexagons, there are three generations identified by the manufacturers marks. The manufacturer item dates are not fully locked in, but are listed for reference.
CLOG - 1st generation mfg mark
- No oval (1966 - 1969) |
CLOG - 2nd generation mfg mark
- CLOG in oval , number outside of oval (1969-1971) |
CLOG - 3rd generation mfg mark
- CLOG and number in oval (1971 - 1975) |
The CLOG Cogs, Acorns, and Microwedges mfg marks do not follow the Hexagon or Wedges year dates. Acorns started in late 1970. Cogs started in 1976 and Microwedges started in 1976.
I designed the CLOG Chocks pages in a history lineup. In the conversation emails I had with Stephane Pennequin of the Nuts Museum, some of the history mentioned supports the CLOG pages history alignment so additional history is within the emails. The photos shown within the pages is the most of the Clog Chocks in the Karabin Climbing Museum and the Nuts Museum. As additional CLOG Chocks surface, the items will be added to the history. What is mentioned in the conversation emails the history is all over the place as Stephane and I are working to find a alignment of the overall information. So the Chocks pages show the more true alignment than what is mentioned in the email conversations.
I placed catalog pages that show CLOG chocks information which follows the emails. Within the Chocks pages is cropped down versions of these catalog pages. Note that the catalogs that show gear in their photos may be using older photographs or illustrations that may not be true to the date of the catalogs year. Example: The Ski Hut was known for selling off outdated surplus. But the photos that the Ski Hut catalogs show, to collectors is true gold!!
……………………………………………………
From Marty, March 20, 2026
Stephane,
Bonjour!
I have been going through my CLOG nuts getting ready to post them on my website. I see that there are three different Mfg mark generations going on.
- CLOG and # (No oval)
- CLOG in oval, # outside of oval
- CLOG and # in oval.
I know that the CLOG without oval goes back into the 1960s, but do you know when the three generations became? In the Nuts To You article 1967 it does not mention CLOG but the Chouiard 1968 catalog does. I always thought CLOG started in 1966, but it looks like maybe late 1967?
In the 1968 Chouinard price list it shows Hexagon slung #1-6, and in the 1969 Chouinard catalog it shows Hexagon slung as #1-7. So #7 is showing that it became in 1969. But there are two other listings for a wired Wedge Wedge small, and Wedge Wedge large. Do you know what those Wedge Wedge items look like? Are they the wired two hole chocks that later became numbered? The catalog only lists them as small and large, so I assume no number was placed on those chocks in the beginning.
Fun stuff!
………………………………………………………………
Dear Marty,
Thank you so much for this new message. Yet another fantastic demonstration that the most passionate collectors in the world are right to share their knowledge and questions… Believe it or not, I had never noticed the mention of “Wedge Wedge” in the price list of those old Chouinard catalogs. A thousand thanks for opening my eyes.
As you know, I met the two founders of Clogwyn Climbing Gear, Shirley Smith in 1996 and Denny Moorhouse in 1998. Today I would probably ask them questions I didn't even think of back then… As a result, I've never been able to find the precise dates for the three generations of “Clog” logos (attached photo). I'm sorry. However, 1964 for Troll and 1966 for Clogwyn Climbing Gear are correct! I have newspaper clippings to prove it.
Without any certainty, I don't think Denny Moorhouse gave the name “Wedge Wedge” to one of his cams. This name doesn't appear in any of the Clog price lists. The term “Spud” used by Troll for their “One Hole Wedge” wasn't adopted by Clog. I think Yvon Chouinard “invented” the name "Wedge Wedge" to differentiate between nuts with two tapered faces and those with four tapered faces. Thus, Chouinard doesn't use the names Jumbo for the Clog Hexagon #6 and Mammoth for the Clog Hexagon #7, names that appear in the Clog catalogs… In fact the “Wedge Wedge”, small and large, might probably be early nuts with four tapered faces made by Clogwyn Climbing Gear. In the very first Clog catalog these nuts are called Wedge double tapered.
Kind regards from Corsica!
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Stephane,
In addition to my last email. I found a few more items to throw into the thoughts. This however does create a few unsolved mysteries.
— Chouinard 1968 catalog price list:
One Hole Wedge slung - #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Tiny Brass Hex wired - #1/4”
Hexagon wired - #1, 2, 3, 4
Hexagon slung - #5, 6
Wedge Wedge wired - #Small, Large
- - - - - - - - - - - -
1969 Note:
* One Hole Wedge #1 now wired
* One Hole Wedge #1 slung taken away
* #7 Slung Hexagon added
— Chouinard 1969 catalog:
One Hole Wedge wired - #1
One Hole Wedge slung - #2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Tiny Brass Hex wired - #1/4”
Hexagon wired - #1, 2, 3, 4
Hexagon slung - #5, 6, 7
Wedge Wedge wired - #Small, Large
- - - - - - - - - - -
1970 Note:
* No more wired One Hole Wedge #1
* Hexagon slung now offered in #1, 2, 3, 4 as well
* Hexagon Brass now listed as #0
* Hexagon #7 taken away
— Chouinard 1970 catalog price list:
One Hole Wedge slung - #2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Hexagon wired - #0(Brass), 1, 2, 3, 4
Hexagon slung - #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Wedge Wedge wired - #Small, Large
- - - - - - - - - - -
1971 NOTE:
* Wedge Wedge wired now numbered in 4 sizes
* The new term for the wired Wedge and Hex is “Wiresling”
— Chouinard 1971 catalog price list:
One Hole Wedge slung - #2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Hexagon wiresling - #0(Brass), 1, 2, 3, 4
Hexagon slung - #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Wedge wiresling - #1, 2, 3, 4
- - - - - - - -
The Clogwyn magazine you are showing, do you know when in 1968 it was made? It lists the new mini brass nut on wire which is in the Chouinard 1968 catalog. But at that time there is not a # on the brass so Chouinard lists it as 1/4.” So collectors note, I believe there is a CLOG brass wired hex out there that has no number mark. Also in the later 1976(?) Clogwyn catalog it shows two sizes of brass nuts. Was there a “00” Brass hex also made? Or is it possible that two sizes of tiny Cogs were made out of brass? Not sure what the listed two brass nuts are, but the #0 brass nut is known.
The new Mammoth (#7) Hexagon shows in the Chouinard 1969 catalog, but then is taken away in 1970 and 1971. This poses the question if CLOG mentioned the Mammoth Hexagon (#7) early for the Clogwyn magazine, but was having trouble supplying or making it till a later date? Why would Chouinard carry every chock made by Clogwyn, but then take the listing away after it was already listed?
The word Wiresling is shown in the 1968 Clogwyn magazine, but that word does not appear until the 1971 Chouinard catalog.
In the Chouinard catalogs the wired “Wedge Wedge” turns into the #1-4 Wiresling Wedge in 1971. The Clogwyn magazine mentions that it has made the Wiresling nuts, but it does not refer to those nuts being only two sizes at that time, and not the full set of 4 that it became later. I do have a early large Wedge wired that has no number but does have a “CLOG” mark. The aluminum looks more peuter color than bright aluminum and has a yellow plastic wire keeper. Collectors note: Chouinard lists a small and large size. So there is a small, possibly #2 size, and #4 size Wedge nut with a yellow plastic wire keeper, that shows the “CLOG” word but no number mark. This may be the Small and Large CLOG Wedge Wedges that Chouinard mentions in his 1960s price lists.
………………………………………………………….
Dear Marty
I think it will be very difficult for you to accurately date the nuts produced by Clogwyn Climbing Gear and to catalog their evolution carefully. Firstly, because the very first Clog catalogs were published years after the company's creation, a period during which we would need as much information as possible. Secondly, because Denny Moorhouse long refused to advertise in climbing magazines, claiming that he much preferred “word of mouth”.
A few weeks ago, I re-photographed the Clog nuts in what I hope is a chronological order. However, it's impossible for me to write any date for each column because I have no way of doing so with certainty. I'm attaching these photos in the hope that they will help you a little.
Kind regards from Corsica!
……………………………………………….………..
Stephane,
Excellent, Thank you.
Now I can finish adding my CLOG nuts on my website.
I am going to put our conversation also on the website to preserve our thoughts.
Nice CLOG collection that you have!!
:)
………………………………………………….
Stephane,
I hope I am not bothering you with so many CLOG questions......
Just attempting to form a history lineup for the website.
- You mentioned CLOGs very first catalog. Do you have that catalog? I am seeking the nuts pages if possible.
- The newspaper article, do you know what year date that was written? If you know what year they took over the Cinema, that answers that question and that establishes the beginning of the Hexagons. I assume it is 1966. But then I am only assuming without knowing.
- I also found this other mystery which is Eiger 1970 catalog which lists a CLOG Wedge #9 on wire.
- On your Brass Hexagons, is there any marking on them? The one I have has a "0". The possibilities may be no marks at all. Or a "1". Maybe the word "CLOG". Ellis Brigham catalog lists them as # "0A" and "0B". I'm just wondering what mfg marks your Brass hexagons show.
The history seems to be easy, but it actually is a lot of research.
Fun stuff! Thank you for your help!
:)
…………………………………………………………..
Dear Marty,
I will not be at home today. I am going to scan the four page first Clog catalog this evening. I have just taken these photos for you with a mobile on my window before leaving home. Some of the brass Hexagon have no marking.The smallest (left) have sometimes "0" never "00". The biggest (right) have just "CLOG" stamped.
Stéphane
……………………………………………………….
Dear Marty
- You mentioned CLOGs very first catalog. Do you have that catalog? I am seeking the nuts pages if possible.
I'm back home… I scanned the very first Clog catalog for you. I restored it in Photoshop (stains, creases, holes). This catalog was given to me by Shirley Smith after we met in May 1996. At that time, Shirley was very ill, with bone cancer… However, she agreed to see me at her home despite her condition. Her partner was bedridden in the room, recovering from a bad fall while ice climbing… I have rarely experienced moments of such intensity in my life. Some time after Shirley's death, I received a small package from her partner; she had asked him to send me this catalog after she died. There is no date on this catalog. I suspect that it dates from 1972 or a little before… From 1966 and for several years, the company operated under the name Clogwyn Climbing Gear, registered as of the date 20th December 1971. This name was changed a few years later for practical reasons. Clogwyn Climbing Gear was much too long a name to be printed on small pieces of climbing gear. And so GLOG was born, registered as of the date 27th November 1973!
- The newspaper article, do you know what year date that was written? If you know what year they took over the Cinema, that answers that question and that establishes the beginning of the Hexagons. I assume it is 1966. But then I am only assuming without knowing.
Western Mail Reporter 1967
- On your Brass Hexagons, is there any marking on them? The one I have has a “0”. The possibilities may be no marks at all. Or a “1”. Maybe the word “CLOG”. Ellis Brigham catalog lists them as # “0A” and “0B”. I'm just wondering what mfg marks your Brass Hexagons show.
Denny Moorhouse listed them as Hexagon No.0 Brass A & Hexagon No.0 Brass B. This latest version, slightly bigger than the Hexagon No.0 Brass A which completed the Clogwyn Climbing Gear range of Hexagon Nuts, arrived on the market in mid-1972.
Friendly regards from Corsica,
…………………………………………………………………..
Stephane,
Thank you so much!
Wow this is a fun project putting this history together.
It will still have open mysteries to it, but I somewhat have a timeline coming together.
Hexagons are almost completed, then comes the Wedges.
:)
Marty
I placed catalog pages that show CLOG chocks information which follows the emails. Within the Chocks pages is cropped down versions of these catalog pages. Note that the catalogs that show gear in their photos may be using older photographs or illustrations that may not be true to the date of the catalogs year. Example: The Ski Hut was known for selling off outdated surplus. But the photos that the Ski Hut catalogs show, to collectors is true gold!!
……………………………………………………
From Marty, March 20, 2026
Stephane,
Bonjour!
I have been going through my CLOG nuts getting ready to post them on my website. I see that there are three different Mfg mark generations going on.
- CLOG and # (No oval)
- CLOG in oval, # outside of oval
- CLOG and # in oval.
I know that the CLOG without oval goes back into the 1960s, but do you know when the three generations became? In the Nuts To You article 1967 it does not mention CLOG but the Chouiard 1968 catalog does. I always thought CLOG started in 1966, but it looks like maybe late 1967?
In the 1968 Chouinard price list it shows Hexagon slung #1-6, and in the 1969 Chouinard catalog it shows Hexagon slung as #1-7. So #7 is showing that it became in 1969. But there are two other listings for a wired Wedge Wedge small, and Wedge Wedge large. Do you know what those Wedge Wedge items look like? Are they the wired two hole chocks that later became numbered? The catalog only lists them as small and large, so I assume no number was placed on those chocks in the beginning.
Fun stuff!
………………………………………………………………
Dear Marty,
Thank you so much for this new message. Yet another fantastic demonstration that the most passionate collectors in the world are right to share their knowledge and questions… Believe it or not, I had never noticed the mention of “Wedge Wedge” in the price list of those old Chouinard catalogs. A thousand thanks for opening my eyes.
As you know, I met the two founders of Clogwyn Climbing Gear, Shirley Smith in 1996 and Denny Moorhouse in 1998. Today I would probably ask them questions I didn't even think of back then… As a result, I've never been able to find the precise dates for the three generations of “Clog” logos (attached photo). I'm sorry. However, 1964 for Troll and 1966 for Clogwyn Climbing Gear are correct! I have newspaper clippings to prove it.
Without any certainty, I don't think Denny Moorhouse gave the name “Wedge Wedge” to one of his cams. This name doesn't appear in any of the Clog price lists. The term “Spud” used by Troll for their “One Hole Wedge” wasn't adopted by Clog. I think Yvon Chouinard “invented” the name "Wedge Wedge" to differentiate between nuts with two tapered faces and those with four tapered faces. Thus, Chouinard doesn't use the names Jumbo for the Clog Hexagon #6 and Mammoth for the Clog Hexagon #7, names that appear in the Clog catalogs… In fact the “Wedge Wedge”, small and large, might probably be early nuts with four tapered faces made by Clogwyn Climbing Gear. In the very first Clog catalog these nuts are called Wedge double tapered.
Kind regards from Corsica!
…………………………………………………………………………………….
Stephane,
In addition to my last email. I found a few more items to throw into the thoughts. This however does create a few unsolved mysteries.
— Chouinard 1968 catalog price list:
One Hole Wedge slung - #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Tiny Brass Hex wired - #1/4”
Hexagon wired - #1, 2, 3, 4
Hexagon slung - #5, 6
Wedge Wedge wired - #Small, Large
- - - - - - - - - - - -
1969 Note:
* One Hole Wedge #1 now wired
* One Hole Wedge #1 slung taken away
* #7 Slung Hexagon added
— Chouinard 1969 catalog:
One Hole Wedge wired - #1
One Hole Wedge slung - #2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Tiny Brass Hex wired - #1/4”
Hexagon wired - #1, 2, 3, 4
Hexagon slung - #5, 6, 7
Wedge Wedge wired - #Small, Large
- - - - - - - - - - -
1970 Note:
* No more wired One Hole Wedge #1
* Hexagon slung now offered in #1, 2, 3, 4 as well
* Hexagon Brass now listed as #0
* Hexagon #7 taken away
— Chouinard 1970 catalog price list:
One Hole Wedge slung - #2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Hexagon wired - #0(Brass), 1, 2, 3, 4
Hexagon slung - #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Wedge Wedge wired - #Small, Large
- - - - - - - - - - -
1971 NOTE:
* Wedge Wedge wired now numbered in 4 sizes
* The new term for the wired Wedge and Hex is “Wiresling”
— Chouinard 1971 catalog price list:
One Hole Wedge slung - #2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Hexagon wiresling - #0(Brass), 1, 2, 3, 4
Hexagon slung - #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Wedge wiresling - #1, 2, 3, 4
- - - - - - - -
The Clogwyn magazine you are showing, do you know when in 1968 it was made? It lists the new mini brass nut on wire which is in the Chouinard 1968 catalog. But at that time there is not a # on the brass so Chouinard lists it as 1/4.” So collectors note, I believe there is a CLOG brass wired hex out there that has no number mark. Also in the later 1976(?) Clogwyn catalog it shows two sizes of brass nuts. Was there a “00” Brass hex also made? Or is it possible that two sizes of tiny Cogs were made out of brass? Not sure what the listed two brass nuts are, but the #0 brass nut is known.
The new Mammoth (#7) Hexagon shows in the Chouinard 1969 catalog, but then is taken away in 1970 and 1971. This poses the question if CLOG mentioned the Mammoth Hexagon (#7) early for the Clogwyn magazine, but was having trouble supplying or making it till a later date? Why would Chouinard carry every chock made by Clogwyn, but then take the listing away after it was already listed?
The word Wiresling is shown in the 1968 Clogwyn magazine, but that word does not appear until the 1971 Chouinard catalog.
In the Chouinard catalogs the wired “Wedge Wedge” turns into the #1-4 Wiresling Wedge in 1971. The Clogwyn magazine mentions that it has made the Wiresling nuts, but it does not refer to those nuts being only two sizes at that time, and not the full set of 4 that it became later. I do have a early large Wedge wired that has no number but does have a “CLOG” mark. The aluminum looks more peuter color than bright aluminum and has a yellow plastic wire keeper. Collectors note: Chouinard lists a small and large size. So there is a small, possibly #2 size, and #4 size Wedge nut with a yellow plastic wire keeper, that shows the “CLOG” word but no number mark. This may be the Small and Large CLOG Wedge Wedges that Chouinard mentions in his 1960s price lists.
………………………………………………………….
Dear Marty
- I do have another CLOG question which shows up in a CLOG catalog that has the incredible drawing on the cover. Do you know what year that catalog represents?
- Were there two [Clog] Cogs made out of Brass?
- The Clogwyn magazine you are showing, do you know when in 1968 it was made?
I think it will be very difficult for you to accurately date the nuts produced by Clogwyn Climbing Gear and to catalog their evolution carefully. Firstly, because the very first Clog catalogs were published years after the company's creation, a period during which we would need as much information as possible. Secondly, because Denny Moorhouse long refused to advertise in climbing magazines, claiming that he much preferred “word of mouth”.
A few weeks ago, I re-photographed the Clog nuts in what I hope is a chronological order. However, it's impossible for me to write any date for each column because I have no way of doing so with certainty. I'm attaching these photos in the hope that they will help you a little.
Kind regards from Corsica!
……………………………………………….………..
Stephane,
Excellent, Thank you.
Now I can finish adding my CLOG nuts on my website.
I am going to put our conversation also on the website to preserve our thoughts.
Nice CLOG collection that you have!!
:)
………………………………………………….
Stephane,
I hope I am not bothering you with so many CLOG questions......
Just attempting to form a history lineup for the website.
- You mentioned CLOGs very first catalog. Do you have that catalog? I am seeking the nuts pages if possible.
- The newspaper article, do you know what year date that was written? If you know what year they took over the Cinema, that answers that question and that establishes the beginning of the Hexagons. I assume it is 1966. But then I am only assuming without knowing.
- I also found this other mystery which is Eiger 1970 catalog which lists a CLOG Wedge #9 on wire.
- On your Brass Hexagons, is there any marking on them? The one I have has a "0". The possibilities may be no marks at all. Or a "1". Maybe the word "CLOG". Ellis Brigham catalog lists them as # "0A" and "0B". I'm just wondering what mfg marks your Brass hexagons show.
The history seems to be easy, but it actually is a lot of research.
Fun stuff! Thank you for your help!
:)
…………………………………………………………..
Dear Marty,
I will not be at home today. I am going to scan the four page first Clog catalog this evening. I have just taken these photos for you with a mobile on my window before leaving home. Some of the brass Hexagon have no marking.The smallest (left) have sometimes "0" never "00". The biggest (right) have just "CLOG" stamped.
Stéphane
……………………………………………………….
Dear Marty
- You mentioned CLOGs very first catalog. Do you have that catalog? I am seeking the nuts pages if possible.
I'm back home… I scanned the very first Clog catalog for you. I restored it in Photoshop (stains, creases, holes). This catalog was given to me by Shirley Smith after we met in May 1996. At that time, Shirley was very ill, with bone cancer… However, she agreed to see me at her home despite her condition. Her partner was bedridden in the room, recovering from a bad fall while ice climbing… I have rarely experienced moments of such intensity in my life. Some time after Shirley's death, I received a small package from her partner; she had asked him to send me this catalog after she died. There is no date on this catalog. I suspect that it dates from 1972 or a little before… From 1966 and for several years, the company operated under the name Clogwyn Climbing Gear, registered as of the date 20th December 1971. This name was changed a few years later for practical reasons. Clogwyn Climbing Gear was much too long a name to be printed on small pieces of climbing gear. And so GLOG was born, registered as of the date 27th November 1973!
- The newspaper article, do you know what year date that was written? If you know what year they took over the Cinema, that answers that question and that establishes the beginning of the Hexagons. I assume it is 1966. But then I am only assuming without knowing.
Western Mail Reporter 1967
- On your Brass Hexagons, is there any marking on them? The one I have has a “0”. The possibilities may be no marks at all. Or a “1”. Maybe the word “CLOG”. Ellis Brigham catalog lists them as # “0A” and “0B”. I'm just wondering what mfg marks your Brass Hexagons show.
Denny Moorhouse listed them as Hexagon No.0 Brass A & Hexagon No.0 Brass B. This latest version, slightly bigger than the Hexagon No.0 Brass A which completed the Clogwyn Climbing Gear range of Hexagon Nuts, arrived on the market in mid-1972.
Friendly regards from Corsica,
…………………………………………………………………..
Stephane,
Thank you so much!
Wow this is a fun project putting this history together.
It will still have open mysteries to it, but I somewhat have a timeline coming together.
Hexagons are almost completed, then comes the Wedges.
:)
Marty
Newspaper - Western Mail Reporter 1967
|
Chouinard 1968 catalog
|
Chouinard 1969 catalog
|
|
Chouinard 1970 catalog
|
Chouinard 1971 catalog
|
|
Ski Hut 1969/1970 catalog
|
|
Eiger 1970 catalog
|
|
|
Holubar 1970 catalog
(Note- The Hex shown in the catalog is a Colorado Nut) 
|
Holubar 1971 catalog
|
|
Bryan G Stokes 1971 (?) catalog
|
|
CLOG - 1972 catalog
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|
|
|
|
CLOG magazine 1972 (?)
|
Ski Hut catalog 1972/1973
|
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CLOG - Price List September 1974
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Ellis Brigham 1975 catalog
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Ellis Brigham 1975 catalog
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Clogwyn - 1976 catalog
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